The Tustin Tillers will take on the Calvary Chapel Eagles at 3:15 p.m. on Monday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.
Tustin is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Santa Ana just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They took a 6-2 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Saints.
Emery Diaz spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and four unearned) runs on five hits and racked up eight Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Tustin saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Izzy Villareal, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Calvary Chapel fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Valencia on Friday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Tigers by a score of 8-7.
Bella Bos was cooking despite her team's loss, getting on base in all five of her plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one double. Another player making a difference was Savanna Bias, who got on base in three of her five plate appearances with four stolen bases, two RBI, and one run.
Calvary Chapel has traveled a rocky road recently, having lost five of their last six games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-13 record this season. That patch can't be blamed on the team's hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.7 runs over those games. As for Tustin, their defeat dropped their record down to 8-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Tustin has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Calvary Chapel struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Tustin beat Calvary Chapel 9-4 when the teams last played back in February of 2016. Do the Tillers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Eagles turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
